Must-have base apps for Android phones
As many of my friends recently bought an Android-based mobile phone I decided to put together a quick summary about apps that I use and recommend.
All information is based on my own testing on the Google Nexus One, so I don’t know how things come out on a HTC Desire. I’ve also only listed free applications here.
Launcher:
LauncherPro beta or Helix2 (replaces Desktop app and makes reaction a lot smoother)
System Tools:
Quick Settings (self-explaining, must have!)
Advanced Task Manager (control over running tasks)
Android System Info (comprehensive system information)
Battery Graph (battery usage over time)
Phonalyzr (analyzes phone and messaging behaviour)
Net Counter (counts transfer based on GSM or WiFi over time)
Wifi Analyzer (detects WiFi networks and signal strength)
GPS Status
ES FileExplorer
Social Media:
Facebook
Foursquare
Seesmic (twitter client)
Google Buzz
Google Latitude
Qype (location detection and information about surroundings)
Multimedia:
last.fm und last.fm scrobbler
Mort Player (music player based on file system structure)
MixZing Player (music player)
Shazam (Music identifier)
Other:
Handcent SMS (SMS Client)
Dolphin Browser HD
My Tracks (GPS Tracks)
Leo (dictionary)
Barcoo (barcode reader, German)
FotMob (all about football, not only suitable for World Cup)
XE Currency (converter)
Widgets:
Retro Clock and Retro Date (launches Alarm Settings and Google Calendar on click)
Seesmic
Mort Player Widget
Please feel free to comment on this recommendations and give your own ones. Thanks!
Thanks. This is a great collection. I agree with most of these, but I’ll have to check the music players. I’ve been looking for a good one. Also, I can strongly recommend Endomondo for tracking exercise (running, biking, etc.).
Hi Matthias,
great list of apps! I’ll definitely install some of your recommendations!
I’d also add some more:
* SMS Unread Count (Widgets for Gmail, Messaging & Dialer to show unread items like on the iPhone)
* Qype (find interesting stuff around you (restaurants, cinema,…))
* NewsRob (read your Google Reader items)
* SoundHound (much faster than Shazam)
* Adobe Reader (Reads PDF files…)
* Fring (MultiMessenger)
Regards,
Sascha
@Kristian: If you need a great Music Player -> check DoubleTwist! (which syncs with iTunes (Windows & Mac))
good collection good tips in comments:
Social media – agree totally (in this order!) you could also try additionally Bloo 1.5 (FB-Client with notification alert!)
System Tools – fine!
A few hacks I’m missing:
voice-search (speech-to-text)
HTC IME Mod Keyboard with Voice Input (v27)
instead fo NewsRob I’d prefer gReader (looks prettier and has smaller cache)
(PS: warum unterhalten wir uns hier eigentlich auf englisch???)